As we navigate through a tough economic climate, Metro Vancouver’s food scene is facing its share of hardships, with beloved spots bidding us farewell.
These closures are not just the end of businesses but are reflective of the broader challenges within the food industry this year.
1. Novella Coffee Bar (Closing Soon)
Novella, a beloved café and breakfast spot in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver, will close its doors on April 7, 2024, marking the end of an era. Its parent group, Boxset Collective, known for innovative culinary experiences, hints at a new concept for the space.
See the full details here.
2. Machi Machi Robson (Closed)
The famous bubble tea brand Machi Machi has shut down its Robson Street location in downtown Vancouver at the end of March.
Fans can still enjoy their drinks at the Richmond location.
See full scoop here.
3. Food Republic (Closed)
Vancouver’s first digital food hall, Food Republic, quietly closed its doors in mid March 2024, despite its innovative concept and prime location near the Vancouver Central Public Library.
The closure reflects the challenges faced by even tech-focused ventures in the food industry.
See full scoop here.
4. Black Rice Izakaya (Closing Soon)
After 10 years of serving innovative Japanese cuisine, Downtown Vancouver’s beloved izakaya, Black Rice, is closing its doors on April 7, leaving many feeling nostalgic but hinting at future plans.
Chef Jinmi, who used Black Rice as a pick-up location, has opened a new venture on Denman Street, while the Black Rice team promises exciting news ahead.
See full scoop here.
5. The Arbor (Closing Soon)
The Arbor, a popular Vancouver vegetable-forward restaurant and bar, is closing its doors after 7.5 years of service.
Known for its plant-based comfort classics, it leaves behind a legacy of celebrating vegetables without meat substitutes.
See full scoop here.
6. Chef Hung Kerrisdale (Closed)
Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodle quietly shutters its Kerrisdale location in Vancouver as its lease ended.
This marked another closure following the shutdown of its downtown concept last October, signaling a dwindling presence in the city.
See full scoop here.
7. Kazu (Closing Soon)
Burnaby’s beloved Japanese restaurant, Kazu, is closing its doors after 10 years of operation on April 7th, leaving locals saddened by the loss of the authentic flavours and unpretentious atmosphere it provided.
Chef Kazu’s culinary journey, spanning decades, leaves behind a legacy cherished by many in the community.
See full scoop here.
8. Hot Oden (Closed)
Hot Oden, Richmond’s first oden restaurant, quietly shuts down after three years, citing rising commercial lease costs.
The closure marks the end of an era for the Japanese specialty spot, known for its diverse menu and authentic ambiance.
See full scoop here.
9. St. Louis Bar & Grill (Closed)
St. Louis Bar & Grill’s only B.C. location in Port Coquitlam, known for its “devilishly good” wings, shut down after just a year, despite its popularity among sports fans and food enthusiasts.
The closure, announced on March 11th, marked the end of the chain’s short-lived West Coast stint, leaving behind a legacy of flavor and laid-back vibes.
See full scoop here.
10. Tacofino Gastown (Closing Soon)
After 10 years of operation, Tacofino Gastown is closing its doors in August due to an expired lease, but hints at a potential return.
Despite the closure, Tacofino plans a farewell fiesta while continuing to expand elsewhere in the province.
See full scoop here.
11. Basak Cafe (Closed)
After four years, Burnaby’s Korean Chubby Waffle & Dessert Cafe, Basak, announced its closure on Instagram. They cited a desire to spend more time with family.
Known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse menu, including strawberry and green tea waffles, Basak’s final day of operation was March 28th.
See full scoop here.
12. Pizza Maru Robson (Closed)
BC’s first branch of the global Korean pizza chain, Pizza Maru, known for its patented Green Tea Dough, shut down its Robson Street outpost after just one year.
They attributed the closure to economic challenges in the industry.
The closure was announced on March 4th, with a new brand teased to take over the space soon.
See full scoop here.
13. Cocoru (Closed)
Richmond’s beloved Korean fried chicken and drink spot, Cocoru, has sadly closed after 7 years, leaving a void in the community’s food scene. Despite being a gathering spot cherished for its great food and welcoming atmosphere, Cocoru’s closure marks the end of an era for Richmond foodies.
See full scoop here.
14. Ebisu Richmond (Closed)
After 30 years of operation, the casual Japanese restaurant announced on Feb. 25, 2024 that they have permanently shut down. For many, this Ebisu location was one with many fond memories.
The Robson St. and West Broadway Ebisu remain open.
15. Mary’s on Davie (Closed)
After 45 years as a beacon of inclusivity and support, especially for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Vancouver’s West End, Mary’s on Davie closed on March 13, 2024.
Founded by local drag icon “Mrs. G” in 1979, this cherished spot hints at a new adventure post-closure.
16. Community Taps + Pizza Commercial (Closed)
Community Taps + Pizza on Commercial Drive, a beloved gathering spot since November 2021, has suddenly shut down, leaving the staff and patrons in the dark.
Despite its active Google listing, the place has been gutted, sparking community speculation about the future of this prime location.
17. Pacific Poke Kitsilano & Commercial Drive (Closed)
Pacific Poke has closed two more Vancouver locations, reflecting a shift away from the once-popular poke trend.
Despite a peak of 10 outlets, the brand now operates just three, amidst broader restaurant industry challenges.
18. Izakaya Gon’s West End (Closed)
West End’s beloved Izakaya Gon’s has closed its doors after five years, marking the end of its journey in Vancouver’s vibrant culinary scene.
This Japanese izakaya spot, known for its array of snacks, sashimi, and drinks, was part of Beaver Record’s first international venture.
The unit is now taken over by JINMI, a brand known locally for their Korean raw soy marinated crab.
19. Robba Da Matti (Closed)
Kitsilano’s beloved Italian restaurant, Robba da Matti, known for its heartwarming pasta dishes and being Vancouver’s first fresh burrata bar, has shut down its Kitsilano location due to family-related decisions.
Despite the closure, the Robba da Matti family encourages patrons to continue enjoying their Italian culinary experiences at their other locations (Yaletown, Gastown, West End), keeping the spirit of authentic Italian dining alive.
20. Lollipot Richmond (Closed)
Lollipot, a hotpot spot in Richmond known for individual hot pots, bubble tea, and bubble waffles, has closed after four years.
The cozy eatery, popular for its Wulao Herbal pot, Korean Army Stew pot, and Tom Yum pot, was situated in a bustling plaza but has succumbed to economic pressures and increased competition.
Taking its place is AYA Beef Noodle House, a new establishment stepping in.
21. Onezo Tapioca Burnaby (Closed)
Onezo Tapioca, known for being the world’s first to offer on-site made tapioca balls, has recently closed its Burnaby Kingsway location after six years of operation.
This location was the first Onezo in British Columbia, offering a unique selection of flavoured tapioca balls and setting a high standard in the competitive bubble tea industry.
Bubble tea enthusiasts can still enjoy Onezo’s fresh pearls at their West Broadway location.
22. Say Hello Sweets (Closed)
Chinatown’s beloved dairy-free ice cream shop, Say Hello Sweets, has announced its closure on February 25th, marking it as a “sweet pause” rather than a goodbye.
They hint at a future comeback in a new location and continued presence in grocery stores like Whole Foods.
The shop, which started as a food truck in 2016 to pay off vet bills, evolved into a popular brick-and-mortar location in 2019.
23. Grano Pizzeria (Closed Dine-in)
Grano Pizzeria, Vancouver’s pioneering vegan and vegetarian Neapolitan pizza spot in Mount Pleasant, has announced its closure of dine-in service after 3.5 years due to economic challenges in the restaurant industry.
Their last day of dine-in service was March 3.
Starting March 6, they will only operate as take-out only.
24. Faebrew (Closed)
Faebrew, Richmond’s most unique and expensive coffee shop known for its magical concoctions tailored to the customer’s mood, shut down at the end of January to focus on the roastery venture, Tales Coffee.
25. Autostrada on Pender (Closed)
After a decade of serving Italian culinary delights, Autostrada will close its downtown Vancouver location on Pender Street, originally opened as Cinara in 2014 and rebranded in 2018.
The closure, set for January 27th, is attributed to lease expiry and the challenges of operating a small neighborhood restaurant, with hints of future plans for a new location.
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